The group explores the massive mountain megastructure. It’s been clearly built to withstand any assault one could imagine. There are hospitals, schools, theaters and even a soundstage to make and act their own movies. It’s got room and apartments for thousands upon thousands of people, the last bastion of humanity against the Machine Revolt. There are armories filled with stuff for soldiers and a smaller subsection for Cells. Boreas, Astraeus and Eurus examine the tech – it’s old and bulkier but still in working condition, a testament to how everything about a Cell Circuit is built to withstand the test of time and the march of entropy. While they’re in the Cell Armory, Kalopsia pulls a cover off a massive hunk of metal with a barrel she could stand in. She says:


    “What’s this?” with a note of curiosity.


    “This… Is why the Machines feared us the most,” Astraeus says, “It’s a Cell Artillery Deep Strike unit. To the right over there,” he points at some spheres of metal, “Are the Cell Artillery Strike Pods, where we’ll climb in and we’ll be shot out of this cannon possibly dozens of kilometers away into the rear of an advancing enemy. We don’t get concussions due to our solid state brains.”


    “Haha, a literal brick for a brain and you wanna brag with that,” Archie teases Astraeus, “I respect that.”


    “I see the humor. But these False Cells from before would pop out of these as corpses,” Astraeus says with a dry smile.


    They continue through the structure and pass the dormitories and common areas where people took their children to the underground schools and activities. A room with a large stadium is even there, with full amenities for running track or playing football on the fake grass. Finally, they arrive at another room its doors hissing to the side, revealing a deep tunnel with black granite walls. Upon closer examination the walls have names etched into them. Kalopsia looks at one part:


    “Jane Algrove, Katarina Algrove, Lina S. Algrove…,” she mumbles as she reads, “Are these…?”


    Kalopsia briefly imagines Jane’s life. Her probable despair as the machines advanced through the battlefield. Was her city destroyed leaving her no choice when she ended up on the list or did she do it because she wanted to? She considers both equally likely and scary in different ways.


    “These are all the women who gave their lives to create the Cell Circuits,” Georgia says while pointing at a plaque on the other wall of the room.


    “Damn… how many are there?” Kalopsia says.


    “Judging by the dimensions of a column and columns per meter, I’d wager close to a million,” Astraeus says.


    They walk to the end while discussing the immensity of the sacrifice humanity went through to survive. Kalopsia feels strangely empowered by the site – she’d have her name etched to the last row. When they arrive at the far wall, Boreas says: “999 988 names – good guess, Astraeus.”


    “Thanks,” Astraeus says.


    “Damn… just… damn,” says Kalopsia again.


    Eurus’s communication device chimes. He says:


    “The Cell Circuit forces have arrived. I’ll guide them in,” he says, “I’ll have them help us with the stuff in the H-Craft too,” Eurus says.


    He sprints off back towards the exit to tell the other Cells how to enter the facility.


    They find an area with offices and computers. Boreas and Astraeus have no trouble at getting past the encryption on the files and disable any digital security in the facility. Georgia sits at one terminal and looks through the information:


    “Ah… What a pleasant interface,” she comments, “I love the way this tactile set of controls feels on my fingers,” while clattering on the keyboard and mouse. “Aannnd… I have the plans to the facility, sending to your devices, I’m going to the fertilization labs. Wanna join me, guys?”


    “Astraeus, want to go with them?” Boreas asks, “I’m going to set up the Cell Artillery Deep Strike unit for tomorrow.”


    Meanwhile Eurus is at the cottage again, pinging his location to Nautilus and the other Cells, with the request to collect the stuff at the H-Craft. His communication device chimes again when he’s sent the plans to the facility. Not too long after, Nautilus and 28 other Cells arrive at the cottage. They’re sitting on their Vulcan 5-s, a few in their Phoenix Novas and several a piece on top of the Goliath battle tanks, only fitting one as it’s neural link driven.


    Nautilus comes up to Eurus, offering him a Roman handshake, cupping his arm almost to his elbow. He says:


    “Eurus. All the Cells aside from Notus are reporting for duty. I’ve also sent drones to assess the number of forces being raised.”


    “I see. What is the count,” Eurus asks.


    “As it stands, Notus has mobilized thousands of False Cells – thanks for the heads up on that by the way, and close to a hundred thousand mechs, human soldiers and a proportional amount in armor,” Nautilus says.


    “Hmm… That’s a lot,” Eurus says, “How did Notus pull this off so fast?”


    “He tapped into the astro army cookie jar by declaring a planetary emergency, allowing him to deploy the standing army for outer-space threats. But, what’s the matter, Eurus? A hundred thousand is peanuts,” Nautilus asks.


    “It would be if this was another Martian Rebellion but they have a Cell Circuit at the helm. We mustn’t underestimate their tactical and strategic enhancements this may bring,” Eurus says.


    He then walks up to a group of three Cells sitting on their Vulcan 5s.


    “Eurus, of Caste Erebus,” Eurus says.


    “Herkules of Caste Themis, enjoyer of big guns,” a gray-bearded Cell says on his stat-bike.


    “Mistral of Caste Vulcan, recon during the Tor Sabotage,” a golden-haired Cell says on his stat-bike.


    “Ares of Caste Olympus, I deployed with you during the Herakula Skirmishses,” a black and curly haired Cell says on his stat-bike.


    “I remember that – you fought efficiently,” Eurus says, “You three take to the skies and reconnoiter. Any movement you report back and destroy. When you see the strike force arrives, return to base on these coordinates.”


    Eurus sends them the exact place he wants them to return to.


    “Magnus of Caste Promethea,” a Cell says on their stat-bike, “I halted the enemy advance on Gaya back during the First Contact wars with others from my Caste. How can I be of service?”


    “Take to the mountain’s armory, you can find it here,” Eurus sends him the path, “And – I gather that Orpheus, Zraxis and Akilleus here are also part of Caste Prometheus?”


    “Yes,” they say.


    “You have extensive experience with the bottlenecks on Gaya I assume, take the Path Digger explosive ordenance from the armory and give the enemies a path they can follow towards us. We want to cut off as many as we can kill easily,” Eurus says.


    “Right away,” they take off on their stat bikes.


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    “Horos, Seth, Angor, Boromir and Geralt, you’re of Caste Tigris as well, I gather?”


    “Yes,” Nautilus says, “They’ve been all over too.”


    “I see. Set up ambush points around the 73 Easting line I drew onto your nav devices,” Eurus says and their comm and nav devices chime.


    They take their vehicles away as well.


    “I need ten of you,” Eurus says, “Ah I see the volunteers,” as ten hands rise up from the remaining Cells, “To split yourselves and two are air-to-ground, two ground-to-air, two air-to-air and the other four alternate. I recommend splitting the mountain.”


    “Goliath Cells, what are your names,” Eurus asks.


    The loudspeakers on the tanks blast out:


    “Poseidon of Caste Keres,” one says.


    “Hades of Caste Keres,” the other one says.


    “Here’s the heavy armor entrances, I recommend splitting the mountain again. How’s your altitude tolerance on the armor?”


    “Legendary, just like you’d need,” Poseidon’s tank says.


    “Alright,” Eurus says, “You’ll be called upon and coordinated by Boreas, Astraeus and Nautilus.”


    “Understood, see ya on the other side,” the tank commanders leave.


    “The rest of you, Pontos, Tor, Kalopsis,” Eurus says, “I’ll have Boreas prepare the CADS for you. You’re reserve as it stands. Entrance to the armory sent to your nav devices.”


    Meanwhile Kalopsia, Georgia, Astraeus and Archie are in the fertilization labs. The place is clean, with a dozen gynecology chairs laid out at several fertilization spots. Each has a plaque on it “Caste Erebus – Erena Buston, Caste Themis – Thensi Mistrani, Caste Vulcan – Victoria Canberra, Caste Promethea – Promila Sapper, with each chair having a caste name except the last.


    Kalopsia walks to it: “Kalopsia Chromo – Caste Kalopsia, it has a nice ring to it.”


    Archie says: “It does… I didn’t know Dr. Gobb Vakkar was so sentimental.”


    “Sentimental?” Kalopsia says, “999 988 women… the last eleven and me… the number one million.”


    Georgia is looking at the immaculate documentation kept by the scientists. She says:


    “Amazing… From what Eurus and you brought back from Siberia,” she says looking briefly at Astraeus, “I would’ve guessed that we’d have to piece together the process to create more Cells but… They’ve kept great records. I can follow these like a kitchen recipe.”


    “Excellent,” Astraeus says, “What are the next steps?”


    “We need a male seed apparently. Archie?” she says calling him to her.


    “What’s up, mom?” Archie says when he comes over with Kalopsia.


    “Looks like you’re going to be a dad,” Georgia says.


    “What? I have to have sex with Kalopsia?” Archie says, bewildered.


    “Not exactly…,” Georgia says and picks up a plastic cup shaking it.


    “Oh… damn,” Archie says, “I’m not equipped for this… Mom what the hell?”


    “Of the people here, Archie,” Astraeus says, “You’re the only one who is.”


    “Fuck… FUCK!” Archie swears, “I need to think about this…,” he storms off. Kalopsia looks at Georgia and then Astraeus who gives her a glance towards the direction Archie went, his eyes saying “Go get him, girl.”


    Kalopsia walks after Archie, looking for him. She finds him sitting at one of the cafeteria tables, blankly staring at an unopened bottle of whisky. “Lagavulin 16,” it says on the label.


    “You’re gonna will yourself drunk?” Kalopsia says.


    “Ha-ha, I don’t think the Cells would approve if I provided them drunk sperm,” Archie says.


    Kalopsia takes the bottle from his hand and pulls off the cork. She takes a big swig, coughing and gagging a little at the strong taste. She says:


    “Well now I have to sober up too,” giving him the bottle.


    “Kalopsia… Oh, my god… Dads are gonna be sooo pissed,” Archie says.


    “Ehh I can get away with stuff,” Kalopsia says, sitting beside him.


    Archie takes a swig from the bottle. She gives him a little kiss and her hand moves onto his thigh, as their eyes meet. Kalopsia says:


    “What is it, Archie?”


    “I mean… me? I’m supposed to be the grandfather of every future Cell? What the hell just… what the hell? I’m supposed to watch our children grow up to become some world eaters? I play catch with one it’ll throw my head clean off with the ball.”


    “You’re not supposed to be a Cell, Archie,” Kalopsia says, “But I find it cool that none could exist without an ordinary-ish woman and an ordinary man. It’s a chance nobody really gets.”


    “You say it like it’s some big honor,” Archie says, while Kalopsia drinks from the bottle, “What if I screw up? All around us are these mythological beings ready to take on the world. I’m just some guy.”


    “What’s there to screw up? You’ve got hands, a thumb and an index finger. You’re not a nevernude are you?” Kalopsia teases him while Archie almost spits out his whisky.


    “Haha, shut up you bitch,” Archie laughs, shoving her playfully.


    "I mean try to imagine yourself in my shoes, not to belittle your own fate, but I''m just a quant. I finally can make kids with the lady I like, but I''m told I can only do it if I jerk off into a cup. I mean I''ve been doing it my whole life but it really puts the pressure on if you know what I mean," Archie says.


    "It''s not how you imagined it? Well I''ll be damned, I for one dreamed of being stuck in a hand-crafted mountain fertilization megastructure and have the guy I like make me pregnant using a syringe provided by his mom. It''s so romantic I think I might cry," Kalopsia says while pretending to wipe a mock tear from her eye and sniffling with fake emotion.


    With the bottle nearly empty, Archie kisses Kalopsia again. They enjoy each other’s embrace, hands moving beneath their clothes. Archie moves his hand below her bra, growing more exciting at the softness greeting him. Their moment of romance is breached as Eurus walks into the cafeteria as well. They quickly tidy themselves up, blushing like teenagers would if dad walked in unannounced.


    “Whisky?” Eurus says, “I see.”


    “Sorry, Eurus,” Archie says, “We just…”


    “I understand,” Eurus cuts him off, “The weight is heavy. I assume Kalopsia convinced you?”


    “Well,” Kalopsia says looking at Archie.


    “She did… I’ll do it,” Archie says.


    “Well done, Kalopsia, Archie, that’s fantastic news. Right now it’s twenty-two hundred hours. Go wash, clean up and find yourselves a bed – separate ones!” Eurus says while Kalopsia and Archie giggle a little, “I’ll have to monitor you if you don’t behave,” he gives them a smile.


    “Don’t worry, DAD,” Kalopsia says mockingly, “We’ll wait for the big day.”


    “Alright, I’ll awake you at oh four thirty hours. Georgia has some calibration to do anyway so… Get some rest.”


    Eurus finds an empty room himself and lies down onto one of the beds in there. He closes his eyes to drift off one more time.


    I find myself sitting back in the chair in the library. Mirra’s already sitting in the armchair next to me, sipping on her whisky. She looks up at me and her sly fox rears its head again with a playful smirk. She says:


    “Well, well… if it isn’t my favorite soldier boy looking all sad. I’ve missed you too, baby. But I gotta say… I sooo told you so, didn’t I?” she says in an equal parts cooing and singing tone.


    “Yes,” I say, “I know. Notus is definitely not trustworthy. I just can’t wrap my head around it. Why would he do it? Why would he violate the Codex like this? You always did sniff out treachery like a hound didn’t you.”


    Mirra comes up from her armchair, her silky night robe barely covering her mastercrafted body. She comes over to me and sits on my lap, her robe coming slightly ajar. I can’t help but feel a sense of longing for that now that I think about it.


    “You give me too much credit, Eurus,” she coos and traces her soft finger over my jaw, “Why did you do it? Even under all that steel muscle you shifted from the objective.”


    “I needed you,” I say.


    “Nah, that’s not it,” she says, “What you got from me, any woman with a pretty face and big tits could plausibly provide you if you count the parts. Without tooting my own horn too much, I would bet I gave you something better than the Codex. I gave you a sense of fulfillment, love and reverance beyond the ordinary babes out there. Notus could have something better too.”


    “Like what?”


    “I don’t know… I have no idea… But I’m speaking from experience as someone who managed to veer you from the course. You giggled like a little girl that night you were so happy… What’s bothering you still my love?”


    “I don’t know… If Notus has something better then am I leading all these people astray? Astraeus, Boreas, Kalopsia, Archie, Georgia… They all following me for some pipedream?”


    “Eurus… They follow you because they believe in you. They’re all sacrificing themselves. But you don’t have to know everything about everything, don’t have to be everyone’s pillar. They can carry themselves for a while. Astraeus and Boreas got your back, Kalopsia can fend for herself a little. Eurus, they follow you because for them you’ve earned it. Not to mention all the other Cells. You’re a legend in their eyes, Notus just some steel skinned paper pusher.”


    I let out a sigh but she extinguishes it with a kiss. I remember those lips well. So soft, so full of life.


    “It’s hard to run on incomplete data,” I say.


    “I know it is for you,” Mirra says, “But the rest of us do that every day.”


    She stands up from my lap and takes me by the hand, leading me through Leone Tower back to her bedroom where she lies down, dropping her robes as she does. Oh, Mirra! I strip naked as well and lay between her legs, holding her in my arms.


    “This is where I saw you Eurus. Not the super soldier, not the legend of the Solar Empire… The man I fell in love with. Eurus…,” she gives me a kiss.


    She’s just as beautiful as the day I saw her first. I just wish I had the forethought to approach her quicker… it now seems like a mistake to haven’t have done that.


    “Eurus,” she continues, “You’re capable of love. I’ve seen it. You mask your affection under a mountain of protocol and strength and valor, but even for Kalopsia, I can see the tiny ore of caring beneath all that will made manifest.”


    She’s always had a way with words for me.


    “Mirra… I wish you were here with me, in the Himalayas,” I say.


    “Eurus, you’re never losing me again. I live in you and grow just as you do. If there ever was a mind with the capacity for the entire soul of another person, it was certainly yours.”


    I revel in her sweet embrace, my body against her naked busom. The night we had before only an echo but its rhythm is still in my heart. After we make love and lie beside each other, talking about better times, she says:


    “It’s almost time, Eurus,” giving me a kiss on the cheek, “Time to wake up. Wake up and make me proud.”